6% of cancers caused by excess weight and diabetes

A new report conducted at Imperial College in London indicates that excess weight and diabetes is a direct cause of 6% of cancers worldwide.  According to lead author Dr. Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, the report analyzed health data from 175 countries, concluding that "5.6% of new cancers care..were caused by high body mass index (BMI) and diabetes."

To read more about the report, click here.

Cancer survivors can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

New research conducted at the National University of Malaysia indicates that the trauma endured by cancer survivors can lead them to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  According to lead researcher Caryn Mai Hsien Chan, the study, conducted on 469 adults with different types of cancer, "showed that nearly 22% had symptoms of PTSD six months after their cancer diagnosis...6% still had the condition four years after diagnosis." 

To read more about this study, click here.

University of Calgary receives additional funding from Canadian Institutes of Health Research for cancer care

The University of Calgary has received a portion of a $5.7 million grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to study and develop better cancer care.  According to the news release, Dr. Jessica E. Simon will "lead a team...to study how community-based palliative care can help patients with non-curable colorectal cancer and demonstrate the effectiveness early care has."

To read more about this funding, click here.

Low-fat diet may reduce pancreatic cancer risk for older overweight women

A new study conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas suggests that a low-fat diet may reduce risk of pancreatic cancer among women between 50-79 that are overweight or obese. According to the study's first author, Dr. Li Jiao, 46,000 overweight and obese women were part of a clinical trial held between 1993-1998.  After 15 years of follow-up, 92 cases of pancreatic cancer occurred following a low-fat diet, compared to 165 cases in the comparison group.

To read more about this study, click here.

Blood thinner may lower cancer risk

New research being conducted at the University of Bergen in Norway indicates that Warfarin, a commonly prescribed blood thinner may lower the risk of developing cancer.  While lead researcher James Lorens cautioned that the observational study, conducted on 1.25 million Norwegian people aged 50 and older, does not "prove a cause and effect relationship...[that] warfarin reduced the risk of cancer", cancer models have determined that warfarin blocks the AXL receptor on tumor cells.

To read more about this report, click here.

 

Some heartburn medication may be linked to stomach cancer

A new study from the University of Hong Kong indicates tat regular prolonged use of certain heartburn medications, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the risk of stomach cancer.  According to lead researcher Dr. Wai Keung Leung, "while PPIs are one of the most commonly used medications for treating reflex disease...clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing long-term PPIs..."

To read more about this study, click here.

Should colon cancer screening began at an earlier age?

A new French study from the Clinique de Bercy in Charenton-le-Pont, has proposed that earlier screening (i.e. at age 45 instead of age 50) be undertaken for colon cancer.  The study, conducted on 6,000 patients who had a colonoscopy, determined that "among 45-49 year-old patients, 26% showed growth called adenomas...compared to 13% of patients ages 40 to 44."  Lead researcher Dr. David Karsenti, who presented the findings at the October 30th United European Gastroenterology Meeting in Barcelona, Spain feels that delaying screening until age 50 could limit some patients' odds of surviving a colon cancer diagnosis.

To read more about this study, click here.